Caboverdose

[Randy D]

Hi Steve,  This is a great rebuild you have going here.  The sleeper chop looks perfect.

You build some cool trailers.

 Randy

[Rockford]

14 hours ago, Blue Monday said:

Thanks for the detailed reply. I had noticed that you mentioned elsewhere that if given the choice, you would build in 1/25 scale. I wondered why but having done some digging into the 1/32 side of things, the kits appear to be pretty rare and consequently they appear to be going for crazy money on the usual retail website. I will take your advice and start off in 1/25 scale with a Revell 359 semi-snapper. I will try to add a bit of detail but primarily aim for a clean finish overall. 

 

It really is a pity that 1/32 doesn't have the same appeal and variety in available subjects as the 1/25 brigade enjoy because, as you say, it makes for a slightly more sensibly-sized collection. I find it amusing that so many marvel at your work in 1/32 scale, stating how small they feel 1/32 is! It is only fractionally smaller than 1/25. Try building 1/100 or 1/144 scale aircraft -now they are small scale! Your skill lies in building these 1/32 scale simplified kits and ending up with a result that looks just as good as most 1/25 scale semis. Cheers.

 

BM.  

Good choice. You're right, 1/32 could have been more than just snappers, look at what AMT did with 1/43 scale, sadly that only stretched to a few kits too. Both scales could have been so much more but it appears that door closed decades ago and the best we can expect is reissues of old kits at best, no new subjects. Revell reissued most of the Monogram 1/32 snap kits with lacklustre stickers instead of the original, and decent, decals so we can see their regard for 1/32 scale. It's only going one way. Enjoy your 359. 

[Pete68]

On 11/14/2024 at 5:04 PM, Rockford said:

actually be longer, should I?

Nah just right for a nice CA. Rig. Don’t want to get too stupid with it. 

[Pete68]

On 11/5/2024 at 12:18 PM, Rockford said:

I should really be working on my LTL9000!

No stay in your lane Driver. Lol 😂 

[Pete68]

On 11/14/2024 at 5:04 PM, Rockford said:

 

Here goes lads,reefers as requested.

 

That is so sweet! Thanks for filling our request and a Flat to boot. I think it’s time for you to make a 1/32 Bull Trailer. I’m sure the guys will agree. 

[Rockford]

Lee, you're very naughty dropping bombs like that and then walking away! 😁 In all honesty I have pondered that project many a time, I'd love a Wilson. I've considered reducing an AMT kit but I'm so sentimental I wouldn't be able to face it, I'd have to build it and buy a tractor to go with it. So the only route is one of my own making. 🤔

By the way, you said not to get too stupid, I think I missed that bus a long time ago!

[Pete68]

5 hours ago, Rockford said:

I think I missed that bus a long time ago!

I don’t think you missed that bus as in that sense. Your always in the front seat 😂 

[Pete68]

5 hours ago, Rockford said:

you're very naughty dropping bombs like that and then walking away! 

I didn’t walk away I stayed to watch your reaction 😂 I think you can do it maybe get one of those 1/32 Ertl trailers and work your Magic. 

[Rockford]

Managed to do a little bit of work today with limited tools and not being able to make a mess. I was having withdrawal symptoms. 

Added a 1mm square strip around the back face of the bumper to add depth. I also want to round the edges of the bumper too, hence the extra depth. The bumper will be going further back too. 

Added my battery box and air cleaner further forward than stock. Mocked up the fuel tank in the position I'm wanting, but I might want smaller tanks to emphasise the tandems hung out at the back. 

[BK9300]

All good stuff, and - no mess!

[Jürgen M.]

This is really nice Steve! Can't wait to see it finished! 

How many 1/32s do you have meanwhile?

[Rockford]

W900 Aerodyne, W900 Sonny Pruitt, K100 Aerodyne, K100 Flattop, GMC General, Chevy Bison daycab, Chevy Bison double sleeper, Freightliner Cabover, Freightliner Conventional, Ford Aeromax, 352 single sleeper, 352 double sleeper, Trailmobile dry vans X2, Trailmobile reefer, Fruehauf dry van X2, Fruehauf post van, Fruehauf reefer X3, Trailmobile flatbed, Fruehauf tank. So 23 done with about 12 waiting in the yard. 

[Old Buckaroo]

2 hours ago, Rockford said:

 W900 Sonny Pruitt,

I can honestly say Ive never seen anyone replicate that truck in 1/32 scale !

[Biggu]

3 hours ago, Rockford said:

W900 Aerodyne, W900 Sonny Pruitt, K100 Aerodyne, K100 Flattop, GMC General, Chevy Bison daycab, Chevy Bison double sleeper, Freightliner Cabover, Freightliner Conventional, Ford Aeromax, 352 single sleeper, 352 double sleeper, Trailmobile dry vans X2, Trailmobile reefer, Fruehauf dry van X2, Fruehauf post van, Fruehauf reefer X3, Trailmobile flatbed, Fruehauf tank. So 23 done with about 12 waiting in the yard. 

I’ve always been a 1/25 - 1/24 guy I had no idea that there were so many 1/32 kits! Very cool

[Jürgen M.]

Wow! What a collection! Very impressive Steve! 

[Rockford]

7 hours ago, Old Buckaroo said:

I can honestly say Ive never seen anyone replicate that truck in 1/32 scale 

 I had no choice really. I was very happy with the result. 

Edited November 24, 2024 by Rockford
Spolling

[Rockford]

Can't live with that bumper, I'm going to have to trim it down like I did on my previous 352. I'll recess the grille too. 

[Biggu]

Steve, your attention is really good. You take what at fist blush looks to be a toy like model and transform it into a very convincing real life replica. The small adjustments you make seem like no real big deal, at the time, BUT, it is those small changes that absolutely transforms the kit into a much higher level and changes the truck to a convincing realistic replica of the 1-1 truck. It’s a pleasure to watch your work and the transformation …. Keep going as its all in the details… I love what you are doing. 

[BK9300]

Great job on the Pruitt Kenworth, Steve.  Always more surgery on your builds that add so much when completed.

[Blue Monday]

On 11/23/2024 at 10:33 PM, Rockford said:

W900 Aerodyne, W900 Sonny Pruitt, K100 Aerodyne, K100 Flattop, GMC General, Chevy Bison daycab, Chevy Bison double sleeper, Freightliner Cabover, Freightliner Conventional, Ford Aeromax, 352 single sleeper, 352 double sleeper, Trailmobile dry vans X2, Trailmobile reefer, Fruehauf dry van X2, Fruehauf post van, Fruehauf reefer X3, Trailmobile flatbed, Fruehauf tank. So 23 done with about 12 waiting in the yard. 

That’s an impressive list and especially so for 1/32. Can I ask- is the GMC General and the Chevy Bison pretty much the same kit, with only minor differences in detail like the front bumper? 
 

BM.

[Rockford]

Yes, the grill is different and the GMC has a tarp on the sleeper roof whereas the Chevy has a wind deflector. The decals carry all the hood badges. 

[Rockford]

As I've said I'm limited at the moment but I'm determined to get something done on this job if I can. I decided to section the bumper and realised that if I cut carefully I could just remove a section right across and reattach it to the grille. I managed it but had to separate the two when I fitted the grille properly as it pulled the bumper too far up. For now I've just used tape to hang the bumper lower down. I am much happier with the appearance already, it just needs more shaping. I wanted to recess the grille which I did by spacing the mounting plate out with plastic sheet, fairly straightforward. 

I felt the kit tanks were too long but I didn't have all the materials around to make my own so I endeavoured to alter the kit pieces. I cleaned the joints and solidly glued the halves together. After that was set I used the moulded welds on the end plates as a guide to cut the ends off, then I cut the tank down flush with the brackets. I de-tapered the brackets by filing and filed a recess in the top of the brackets for a more life-like appearance. Reassembled and I think they look grand! The shorter tanks emphasize the long frame as I wanted. 

I'm not happy with my fifth wheel now. 

Sorry, no reefers today. 

Edited November 30, 2024 by Rockford

[BK9300]

I had to go back and look at what you weren't satisfied with about the bumper.  It definitely looks better after your modifications!

Edited November 30, 2024 by BK9300

[Biggu]

More back dating builds.... this is pretty cool, and a nice fine job on the bumper, very straight and clean !  I like this.....

[Blue Monday]

This Cabover is progressing nicely. Your knowledge of these trucks is plain to see with all the modifications you make to the original kit. 

BM.